President Bush yesterday lavished praise on Gordon Brown at their first summit together, saying he was a man of principle who understood the ideological war against terrorism. But over two days of talks held at Camp David, Mr Brown retained his right to withdraw British troops from Iraq more quickly than the Americans.

During their joint press conference yesterday, Mr Bush heaped personal praise on the prime minister as a worthy leader and a man that wanted to find solutions.

The prime minister, by contrast, hailed the relationship with America as the most important bilateral relationship for Britain, but held back from any personal praise of President Bush, in what is likely to have been a calculated decision to put the bilateral relations on a more formal footing. Mr Brown also read out a businesslike lengthy statement and surprisingly described the talks simply as "full and frank", normally diplomatic language for a cool relationship. The atmosphere suggested the British delegation is determined to rid themselves of the image of poodle to a Republican administration that has only 18 months to run.

At the same time British sources stressed that Mr Brown wanted to work with President Bush on the practical issues they faced, particularly world trade, Darfur and the Middle East. In what may prove a difficult issue this autumn, British government sources stressed that Mr Brown will make his decision on British troop deployments in Iraq solely on the basis of the advice of the British military, and implicitly not in order to meet any request from the US to stay alongside American troops.

In carefully chosen words Mr Brown stressed Britain "had moved from 'combat' to 'overwatch' [aiding Iraqi forces] in three of the four provinces for which we the British have responsibility. We intend to move to Overwatch in the fourth province and that decision will be made on the military advice of commanders on the ground. Whatever happens, we will make a full statement to parliament when it returns." Mr Bush said decisions on deployment for the US and the UK were "results-orientated". He denied that there had been a policy change by the British, but added that he was sure Mr Brown "will keep me abreast of his military commanders, based on the conditions on the ground". The UK commitment to troops in Iraq has been seen as politically vital to the Bush administration. Britain has 5,500 troops based in the south, with forces moving from a combat role to aiding local Iraqi forces.

Mr Brown also announced that he was planning to set up with local Iraqis a Basra development agency, a sign that he sees reconstruction as the long-term key to ending sectarian bloodshed.

Mr Bush did not directly answer whether he planned to pass on the war to the next president, who will take office in January 2009. But he suggested that was likely. "This is going to take a long time in Iraq, just like the ideological struggle is going to take a long time," he said.

Mr Brown also stressed that the British government had long-term duties to discharge in Iraq. "Our aim, like the United States, is step by step to move control to Iraqi authorities, to the Iraqi government and its security forces, as progress is made." He also underlined the importance of the relationship between America and the UK, saying that it was "a partnership that is founded on more than common values and common history, it is a partnership that is founded and driven forward by our shared values".

After the uncertainty caused by the appointment of a fierce opponent of America's neo-cons, Lord Malloch Brown, as Foreign Office minister, Mr Brown worked hard to underline the vital need for the two countries to work together.

He said it was in the British national interest, "with all our energies that we work together to address all the great challenges, nuclear proliferation, climate change, global poverty, the Middle East peace process - and, most immediately, international terrorism".

Mr Brown said terrorism was not a cause, "it is a crime, and a crime against humanity". By contrast, President Bush stressed the personal chemistry between the two men, implictly accepting it had been a wrench to lose his close relationship with Tony Blair. Mr Bush said: "Everyone's wondering whether or not the prime minister and I were able to find common ground, to get along, to have a meaningful discussion, and the answer is 'Absolutely.'

"He probably wasn't sure what to expect from me," the president said. "I kinda had a sense of the kind of person I was going to be dealing with. I would describe Gordon Brown as a principled man who really wants to get something done."

On the plate

Political menu

Terrorism"We are one in fighting the battle against terrorism," said Mr Brown

IraqMr Brown said both countries had "responsibilities to keep"

IranMr Brown said he agreed with the US that sanctions are working

DarfurMr Brown described Darfur as the greatest humanitarian disaster facing the world

Trade talksMr Bush said both men were optimistic over a deal in the Doha round